The cavy or guinea pig is one of the most charming household pets. If you want to make friends with one of these little animals always approach its cage with gentle gestures and avoid all sudden movements.

Give the guinea pig plenty of fresh vegetables, but make sure you remove all the leftovers in case they go bad for it is important that the bottom of the cage is clean.

The guinea pig loves maize, fruit, vegetables (especially carrots), lettuce leaves, and the core and peel of apples. If it gets plenty of vegetables it does not need to drink. It also likes a little bran.

The cage must be quite big so that the guinea pig can run up and down, and it should have a raised platform where the guinea pig can make its bed. The sawdust on the floor should be changed daily and the whole cage cleaned every week and disinfected about once a month.

During the summer the guinea pig can be put in a fenced-off part of the garden, but make sure that the fence is strong enough or the guinea pig will run away. Whenever it is allowed to wander freely about the house or in the garden, always make certain there are no cats or dogs about because they will attack it.

When guinea pigs are born they are already highly developed, furry, open-eyed and able to eat solid food. After only a few hours they can run about with their mother and are weaned in about two weeks.